Monday, April 6, 2009

Conference Tidbits

*We may be able to afford it, but we don't necessarily need it.
*Reverence invites revelation.
*In times of distress, let our covenants sustain us.
*The Lord always suits the relief of the burdened individual.
*You can't text message faith!
*Remove your watch when you enter the temple.
*Spectator discipleship: it is not enough to observe gospel living from the sidelines. You can't plant a seed in the morning and expect corn-on-the-cob for dinner.
*I'm trying to become what my spouse already thought I was!
*Keeping the commandments in these latter days will be a badge of honor in the eternities.
*Divine compassion is never absent, no matter how abandoned we may feel.
*The future is as bright as our faith!
*You can't be a lifesaver if you look like everybody else on the beach.
*You're never alone when you can see the temple: Home + Holy Temple=Holiness to the Lord.

We had a great Conference weekend. It was very quiet and family oriented. Luckily the weather cooperated, so Sunday's sessions were listed to outside in the sunshine. Josh listened to all 4 sessions reverently! Yea Josh! Emma lasted for 3 sessions! The two toddlers...not so much of any. Emma at one point said to me, "I'm too bored to do anything!" Oxymoron if I ever heard one.

I had an interesting exchange with Josh and Emma following President Monson's closing remarks. When he said, "Now, a word of caution..." and preceded to talk about interent dangers, I asked my kids, "do you know what pornography is?" Emma said, "Is that if someone does a handstand and their shirt comes up a little?" I tried not to laugh. On a serious note, they didn't really know what it was specifically. Josh asked, "Is it like that game 'Club Penguin' game online?"

"Well, it can lead to unsafe people online, but pornography is when people take their clothes off and touch private parts of the body inappropriately for pictures or videos. It is dangerous because it puts images or pictures in your mind that you won't be able to stop thinking about or erase from your brain's hard drive. It is extremely dangerous to your spirit and mind. Because people can accidentally come across pornography on the computer, this is why your Dad and I do not want you using the internet at other people's houses, and only at home if Mom and Dad are around. This is what President Monson is warning people against because is so dangerous and destructive. If you ever see pictures that are confusing or gross, please, PLEASE come tell us!"
(Even the best filters are not full proof:( )

When the prophet says "Now a word of caution..." we better sit up straight and listen. Pornography is a subject we hate to have to discuss with our children (it's hard to discuss delicate issues like sex and addiction with kids, I think), but too many families mistakenly assume it will never be a problem for them. We are trying to make them aware of the dangers of the internet in an assertive, proactive, yet age-appropriate way. Heaven help our children's generation with all the evil swirling around them. How grateful I am for a Prophet to help guide our efforts to raise up a righteous posterity and find peace in our lives and in our homes.

When the choir was singing "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet", I felt a strong witness (one of many during this wonderful Conference)that President Monson is indeed the Lord's mouthpiece. I asked the kids, "Do you feel in your heart that President Monson is God's prophet on the earth today?" And they confidently answered, "Yes!" And I tried to identify the Spirit for them by saying, "That's your testimony! When you know something in your heart!"

I needed Conference. How is it possible that it gets better each time and trumps the last one?

1 comment:

Kristine said...

Beautifully put, Annalee!